Michele Mendi

Polytypic species with large breeding range, from W Europe to C Asia and the Himalayas; also in NW Africa (BirdLife International 2021). Fairly resident, post-breeding dispersal or short-range migrations documented for those birds/population which breed mostly in Scandinavia/N Rusia (Tyler & Ormerod 1994). Associated to well-oxigenated rivers with stone beds (Tyler & Ormerod 1994).

Season of assessment

B

Population trendDecreasing
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		222000-547000,335000
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for White-throated Dipper

Most regions show relatively short-range movements (<200 km), with the exceptions of Central, N and E Europe, where displacements of up to ca. 1000 km can be detected (though most obtained at less than 200 km). Thus, it is a majorly sedentary species, so recoveries show local natal or breeding dispersal patterns, rather than true migrations. Largest movements due to Fennoscandian populations, which move south/south-east in autumn, mostly to overwinter within the circum-Baltic region, also (more exceptionally) to Britain. In Spain, most recoveries (ca. 90%) obtained within <10 km, and only one recovery of >100 km (a bird ringed in Belgium) (Regla & Arizaga 2016). This is a general rule for the W and S populations (Tyler & Ormerod 1994, Spina & Volponi 2009).

Recoveries by Condition for White-throated Dipper

Overall, most recoveries (>90%) due to birds found alive, both recaptured for ringing and identified by other means, like leg ring(s). Before 1960, still a remarkable fraction (ca. 25%) of the birds was due to individuals encountered dead, sick or wounded. From 1990 to present, this fraction is absolutely marginal, so most recoveries come from birds encountered alive, either recaptured or identified by other means.

Annual Movements for White-throated Dipper

Natal dispersal in resident populations starts soon after young emancipate, and the timing for that can vary with altitude and latitude. In Fennoscandia, most birds found at their winter quarters by Oct, up to Mar/Apr.

Connectivity by Month by Region for White-throated Dipper

Most populations remain in the same zone for the whole annual cycle. Adults normally show high fidelity to breeding site (e.g., Tyler et al. 1990), whilst first-year birds show some degree of natal dispersal which, in addition, is greater in females (Tyler et al. 1990). Many Fennoscandian dippers abandon their breeding sites by Oct, as soon as water bodies where they live freeze. They then mostly occupy the circum-Baltic region. Return to breeding quarters patent in Apr; by May most birds are found at their breeding sites. In S Europe, where the birds breed associated to mountain ranges, altitudinal movements common (Tyler & Ormerod 1994). 

Juan Arizaga

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries
References Map
BirdLife International 2021 . Species factsheet: Cinclus cinclus.
Regla, M., Arizaga, J.2016 . Patrones de movimiento del mirlo acuático Cinclus cinclus L., 1758 en España: análisis de recapturas. Munibe 64: 41–51
Spina, F., Volponi, S.2009 . Atlante della migrazione degli uccelli in Italia. Vol. 2: Passeriformi. ISPRA-MATTM, Roma
Tyler, S. J., Ormerod, S. J.1994 . The Dippers. T & A. D. Poyser, London
Tyler, S. J., Ormerod, S., Lewis, J. M. S.1990 . The post-natal and breeding dispersal of Welsh dippers Cinclus cinclus. Bird Study 37: 18–23

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